Running in a Rainforrest

Today I went on my own adventure.  I felt free.  I felt wild.  I felt daring.  Now I feel sore.  It was worth it though!  I signed up for a half-marathon in October.  It is an Xterra race and will be a trail run with possibly difficult terrain.  I have heard from neighbor R. that the course is very challenging.

http://www.gunstockhalfmarathon.blogspot.com/ 

There are many good places on base I can run and train, it is just really flat here.  In order to be race ready, I know I need to do at least one trail run a week.  Today was my day.  I ran a five miler in the nearby town of Aiea: 

 http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/hiking/oahu/index.cfm?hike_id=10

The directions said it would take about 2.5-3 hours to hike.  I ran it in one hour ten minutes.  Which was pretty good considering that I, 1) got lost and 2) parked in the wrong lot and had to run to the trail head (up a huge hill) instead of driving and parking at the top.  So the 4.8 mile loop really was over 5 miles after all was said and done.  

For one full hour it was just me, my thoughts and my running shoes.  (And several hikers that told me they thought I was crazy to be running the trail).  It was crazy.  Crazy FUN!  I had a runners high the entire way.  New and tricky terrain.  New smells.  New and awesome views of Waikiki.  New trees.  So new that I did get lost and had to surf/traverse from tree to tree down a steep incline covered in vines and leaves to get back on the right trail.  There was no runners high then, just brief moments of sheer terror.  But I survived to write this post, so it is all good. 

I had a lot of thoughts while I was running.  One theme did stand out though.  I have been having difficulty shaking negative feelings lately.  You know, the icky feelings... anger, sadness, general "woe is me" stuff.  I know I have good reason to be stressed out and all but I don't want to be a person who can't get a handle on sadness or disappointment.  I want to enjoy life.  I want to be happy.  Not sad.  I want a heavenly perspective.  I gave all this to God as I ran.  He answered, really impressing this idea on my heart while I ran:  

It is simple.

  Love on others who are worse off than you and spend time enjoying My creation.  

After the run it was back to reality.  I felt much more prepared to handle the beautiful chaos of life that awaited me at home.  But I think God gave me some direction and perspective.  For that I am grateful.  Funny how some of the most sacred moments of my life happen when I am far away from a church building.  

I am off to roll out my muscles so I can walk tomorrow morning.  Wish me luck!